Rajasthan
Wildlife: Mining Endangers Wildlife, Villagers’ Income In Jawai Hills | Jaipur News
JAIPUR: In an incessant struggle for survival, the cave-dwelling leopards in the Jawai hills of Rajasthan now face fresh threats due to recent mining activities in their vicinity. Mining permits have been alarmingly issued in close proximity to their natural habitat, and operations have already commenced.
Consequently, this otherwise elusive animal is now compelled to pass near men and heavy machinery like JCBs, raising concerns about an increased incidence of human-animal conflicts in the area. At the mining site, earth-moving machines can be observed uprooting trees and leveling the ground in the vicinity of the leopard hills.
A section of the local residents has approached the district administration, demanding the cancellation of the mining permits. This move deals a severe blow to conservation efforts and wildlife tourism, which stakeholders have been nurturing for years. Villagers also fear that once the mines become operational, the leopards will abandon the area, posing a threat to their livelihoods.
Gaffar Khan, a local tour operator, expressed his anguish, “We have been conserving leopards, hills, and nature as it is our source of income. One misguided decision by the government could not only jeopardise the ecosystem of the area but also result in unemployment for many.”
The Beda area boasts of 20-25 hotels and 100 gypsies that rely entirely on leopard tourism. There is a natural leopard cave in the area, and due to the opening of the mines, leopards are now in grave danger. The safari and hotel businesses are also likely to be adversely affected, potentially leading to their closure. This situation could result in unemployment for local residents and those dependent on wildlife tourism.
A villager, who preferred not to be named, said, “These permits have been issued against established procedures. Government records still classify the concerned area as agricultural land yet mining permits have been issued for it. A memorandum has been submitted to the district administration to address this issue.”
We also published the following articles recently
Consequently, this otherwise elusive animal is now compelled to pass near men and heavy machinery like JCBs, raising concerns about an increased incidence of human-animal conflicts in the area. At the mining site, earth-moving machines can be observed uprooting trees and leveling the ground in the vicinity of the leopard hills.
A section of the local residents has approached the district administration, demanding the cancellation of the mining permits. This move deals a severe blow to conservation efforts and wildlife tourism, which stakeholders have been nurturing for years. Villagers also fear that once the mines become operational, the leopards will abandon the area, posing a threat to their livelihoods.
Gaffar Khan, a local tour operator, expressed his anguish, “We have been conserving leopards, hills, and nature as it is our source of income. One misguided decision by the government could not only jeopardise the ecosystem of the area but also result in unemployment for many.”
The Beda area boasts of 20-25 hotels and 100 gypsies that rely entirely on leopard tourism. There is a natural leopard cave in the area, and due to the opening of the mines, leopards are now in grave danger. The safari and hotel businesses are also likely to be adversely affected, potentially leading to their closure. This situation could result in unemployment for local residents and those dependent on wildlife tourism.
A villager, who preferred not to be named, said, “These permits have been issued against established procedures. Government records still classify the concerned area as agricultural land yet mining permits have been issued for it. A memorandum has been submitted to the district administration to address this issue.”
We also published the following articles recently
Rescued leopard cub, brought to Van Vihar, now healthy
A male leopard cub, rescued from the Alirajpur forest division, has made a full recovery after being treated by wildlife expert doctors at Van Vihar. The cub had become weak and suffered from a lung infection after getting lost from its mother in the forest for 5-6 days. It was given antibiotics through IV fluids and has since regained its health.
A male leopard cub, rescued from the Alirajpur forest division, has made a full recovery after being treated by wildlife expert doctors at Van Vihar. The cub had become weak and suffered from a lung infection after getting lost from its mother in the forest for 5-6 days. It was given antibiotics through IV fluids and has since regained its health.
Leopard mowed down by speeding vehicle
A three-year-old female leopard was found dead on a road near Basavanapalya due to a speeding vehicle collision. This is the first roadkill in recent times in an area with a significant leopard population. The incident highlights the increasing human-animal conflict resulting from the fragmentation of forest patches around Bengaluru. In a separate incident, a male leopard was rescued near Nashik and will be released back into its natural habitat after a medical check-up.
A three-year-old female leopard was found dead on a road near Basavanapalya due to a speeding vehicle collision. This is the first roadkill in recent times in an area with a significant leopard population. The incident highlights the increasing human-animal conflict resulting from the fragmentation of forest patches around Bengaluru. In a separate incident, a male leopard was rescued near Nashik and will be released back into its natural habitat after a medical check-up.
Male leopard rescued near Eklahare
The forest department in Nashik rescued a six-year-old male leopard from Gangawadi village, the second rescue in the past week in the same area. A cage was set up to trap the leopard, which will undergo a medical check-up before being released back into its natural habitat.
The forest department in Nashik rescued a six-year-old male leopard from Gangawadi village, the second rescue in the past week in the same area. A cage was set up to trap the leopard, which will undergo a medical check-up before being released back into its natural habitat.
